In the ever-evolving landscape of college football, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian finds himself navigating a world where coaching staff costs have skyrocketed since his debut with the Longhorns in 2021. While Sarkisian remains uncertain if his 2026 coaching crew surpasses his inaugural team in quality, one thing is clear: the price tag has significantly increased.
Texas is on track to spend at least $11.55 million on assistant coaches alone this year. When you add Sarkisian’s own $11.05 million salary, the total commitment to the coaching staff hits a staggering $22.6 million.
Reflecting on the changes since his first year, Sarkisian’s original trio of coordinators-Jeff Banks, Kyle Flood, and Pete Kwiatkowski-earned a combined $2.78 million. Fast forward to 2026, and new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp commands nearly that entire sum with his $2.7 million salary.
Sarkisian acknowledges the broader trends influencing these shifts. “We’re not going to mirror other programs just for the sake of it,” he explained.
“But we must stay aware of the national landscape. Staff sizes and salaries have naturally grown over time.”
The escalation in coaching salaries is evident across the board. Back in 2021, no public school head coach earned over $10 million. By 2025, nine coaches broke that barrier, with some not even clinching eight wins.
Assistant salaries are climbing as well. Muschamp’s $2.7 million salary would have been the second-highest for a coordinator last season, trailing only Penn State’s Jim Knowles at $3.1 million. Despite a solid defensive ranking, Knowles wasn’t retained after a coaching change at Penn State.
The NCAA’s 2024 decision to allow programs unlimited assistant hires-albeit with restrictions on recruiting roles-has further fueled this trend. Staff members previously labeled as “Analysts” or “Quality Control” can now officially be called assistant coaches, with Texas listing 13 such positions.
Sarkisian emphasizes the importance of surrounding players with top-tier coaching talent to prepare them for potential NFL careers. “Our journey has been about adapting to the changes in college football and ensuring we have the right people to support our players and our program,” he said. “It’s not about being better or worse; it’s about evolving with the times.”